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Diabetes and metabolic health

People with diabetes face higher risk of hearing loss

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By , Staff Writer
  • Reviewed by Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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Cropped image showing a woman being fitted for a hearing aid; the view is from the side and behind her head, and the hands of the fitter are visible.Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Researchers analyzed data from 17 studies including a total of 3,910 people with diabetes and 4,084 people without it. Depending on the study, 41% to 72% of people with diabetes had hearing loss, revealing an average risk more than four times that of people without diabetes. The hearing loss tended to be most prominent at higher frequencies.

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About the Author

photo of Lynne Christensen

Lynne Christensen, Staff Writer

Lynne Christensen is a staff writer who contributes articles to Harvard Health Publishing’s flagship website and its four newsletters: the Harvard Health Letter, Harvard Heart Letter, Harvard Women’s Health Watch, and Harvard Men’s Health Watch. She … See Full Bio
View all posts by Lynne Christensen

About the Reviewer

photo of Robert H. Shmerling, MD

Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing

Dr. Robert H. Shmerling is the former clinical chief of the division of rheumatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), and is a current member of the corresponding faculty in medicine at Harvard Medical School. … See Full Bio
View all posts by Robert H. Shmerling, MD
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